DoDEA English Language Proficiency Standards The DoDEA English Language Proficiency Standards highlight the English language development goals for English Language Learners (ELLs) as they move through levels of English proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. These standards are designed to guide teachers in their instruction of ELLs and to provide a bridge to DoDEA s Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science content area standards. This bridge is essential for educators and learners so that their teaching and learning aligns with the expectations of the DoDEA Content Standards and further ensures English language learners access to the full content area curriculum. DoDEA English Language Proficiency standards listed below describe what ELLs should know and be able to do as the result of the DoDEA ESL program. Goal 1: Basic Interpersonal Communication Students will demonstrate English proficiency through basic interpersonal communication. Standards 1.1 Use English to communicate in social interactions. 1.2 Interact in English by speaking, listening, reading, and writing for personal expression and enjoyment. 1.3 Use learning strategies to extend their communicative competence. Goal 2: Cognitive Academic Language Development Students will demonstrate English proficiency through cognitive academic language development in all school subjects to include language arts, mathematics, the sciences, and social studies. Standards 2.1 Use English to interact in the classroom. 2.2 Use English to obtain, process, construct, and provide subject matter information in spoken and written form. 2.3 Use appropriate learning strategies to construct and apply academic knowledge. Goal 3: Sociocultural Knowledge Students will demonstrate English proficiency in socially and culturally appropriate ways. Standards 3.1 Use appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication according to audience, purpose, and setting. 3.2 Participate in a variety of activities to develop an awareness of United States culture. 3.3 Use appropriate learning strategies to extend sociolinguistic and sociocultural competence.
Progress Indicators GOAL 1 Basic Interpersonal Communication Students will demonstrate English proficiency through basic interpersonal communication. Standard 1.1 Use English to communicate in social interactions 1.1.1 Shares and requests information 2.1.1 Expresses needs, feelings, and ideas 3.1.1 Uses nonverbal communication in social interactions 4.1.1 Makes his/her need known 5.1.1 Engages in conversations and social exchanges Volunteer information and responds to questions about self and family Elicits information and asks for clarification and restates questions and/or statements Indicates interests, opinion, or preferences Gives and asks for permission Offers and responds to greetings, compliments, invitations, and introductions and farewells Negotiates solutions to interpersonal misunderstandings and disputes Describes feelings and emotions Uses the telephone for personal conversations Uses the telephone for personal conversations and to request information Engages listener s attention verbally and nonverbally Asks peers for their preferences, opinions, and desires Uses the telephone for personal conversations, to request information, and to make appointments, reservations, etc. Reads invitations and thank you letters Reads personal letters and invitations Writes invitations and thank you letters Writes for personal use; i.e., a journal in which feelings and emotions are expressed Standard 1.2 Interact in English by speaking, reading, and writing for personal expression and enjoyment. 1.2.1 Describes, reads about, and/or participates in a favorite activity 1.2.2 Shares social and cultural traditions and values 1.2.3 Expresses personal needs, feelings, and ideas 1.2.4 Participates in popular culture
Progress Indicators, continued Makes requests and elicits information for personal reasons Persuades peers to join in an activity, read a book, or watch a videotape Describes favorite storybook characters Recommends a game, book or computer program Shares social and cultural traditions and values Recounts events of interest to self Expresses humor through verbal and nonverbal means Describes a personal hero and explains why hero was chosen Recommends a game, book or computer program and explains reasons for recommendation Explains issues of personal importance and value Recounts events of interest to self and others Recognizes and expresses humor and enjoyment through verbal and nonverbal means Analyzes peers choices of personal heroes Recommends a film, videotape, book or CD to a peer and explains reasons for recommendation Analyzes issues of personal importance and value Analyzes events of interest to self and others Recognizes, interprets, and expresses humor and satire in illustrations or print Reads stories, books, songs, poems, and magazines of personal interest Reads/watches plays, films, stories, books, songs, poems, computer programs, and magazines of personal interest Analyzes plays, films, stories, books, songs, poems, computer programs, and magazines Writes/draws a poem or book of personal interest Writes a poem, short story, book, song, or play Standard 1.3 Use learning strategies to extend their communicative competence. 1.3.1 Tests hypotheses about language 1.3.2 Listens to and imitates the way others use English 1.3.3 Explores alternate ways of communicating 1.3.4 Seeks support and feedback from others 1.3.5 Self-monitors and self-evaluates language development 1.3.6 Uses the first language to ask for clarification 1.3.7 Uses context to construct meaning Asks meanings of words Practices pronunciation Recites poems, songs, and dialogues aloud
Uses the native language to ask for clarification or to check understanding Practices vocabulary, phrases, and/or structures Uses nonverbal cues to understand verbal directions (i.e., gestures, changes in intonation of voices, etc.) Uses written sources to discover or check information Uses diagrams and regalia to learn vocabulary or construct meaning Keeps individual notes for language learning GOAL 2 Cognitive Academic Language Development Students will demonstrate English proficiency through cognitive academic language development in all school subjects to include language arts, mathematics, the sciences, and social studies. Standard 2.1 Use English to interact in the classroom 2.3.1 Participates in full class, group, and paired discussions 2.3.2 Follows oral and written directions 2.3.3 Requests information, assistance, and clarifications 2.3.4 Answers questions and explains or provides information 2.3.5 Elaborates and extends own ideas and that of others Works with a partner or group Distributes and collects classroom materials Asks for assistance with a task Listens to and incorporate a peer s feedback into a discussion Paraphrases or modifies others statements Negotiates with peers and teachers Reaches consensus Reads material required for pair or group work Writes as required for pair or group work participation Standard 2.2 Use English to obtain, process, construct, and provide subject matter information in spoken and written form 2.2.1 Listens to, speaks, reads, and writes about subject matter information 2.2.2 Hypothesizes and predicts 2.2.3 Demonstrates knowledge through application in a variety of contexts
Progress Indicators, continued Defines, compares, and classifies objects according to number, color, size, function, physical characteristics Explains change in objects, animals, plants, self or characters in literature Generates and asks questions of outside experts about their jobs, experiences, interests, qualifications, etc. Takes a position and supports it Uses contextual clues Reads a story and represent the sequence of events Uses reference material Reads a story and interpret the sequence of events Evaluates information from reference material Defines, compares, and classifies objects according to number, shape, color, size, function, and physical characteristics Records observations Edits and revises own written assignments Uses print resources in the native language when needed Constructs a chart or other graphic showing data Constructs a chart or other graphic synthesizing data Defends a position with support evidence Takes notes on class presentations Synthesizes, analyzes, and evaluates information Summarizes books, articles, essays, etc. Standard 2.3 Use appropriate learning strategies to construct and apply academic knowledge 2.3.1 Applies reading comprehension skills 2.3.2 Uses context to construct meaning 2.3.3 Takes notes to record important information and aids own learning 2.3.4 Knows how and when to use cognitive and metacognitive strategies Takes risks with language Seeks more knowledgeable persons with whom to consult to advance understanding Rephrases, explains, revises, and expands information to check comprehension Practices with a peer for an oral presentation Scans an entry in a book to locate information for an assignment Seeks out print resources in the native language to help provide background knowledge Scans several resources to determine appropriateness
Makes pictures to check comprehension Summarizes information to check comprehension Brainstorms ideas with peers or an adult prior to writing Uses a rubric to evaluate writing GOAL 3 Sociocultural Knowledge Students will demonstrate English proficiency in socially and culturally appropriate ways. Standard 3.1 Use appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication according to audience, purpose, and setting. 3.1.1 Uses the appropriate degree of formality based on audience and setting 3.1.2 Uses a variety of writing styles appropriate for different audiences, purposes, and settings 3.1.3 Uses slang, idioms, and humor appropriately 3.1.4 Uses native language(s) when needed / Gives and receives compliments, makes polite requests, shows gratitude, apologizes, expresses anger or impatience Interacts in formal and informal settings Uses appropriate volume and intonation of voice Expresses humor Expresses humor, irony, and sarcasm Uses idiomatic speech Delivers presentations for various audiences Responds and creates letters and e-mail messages for a variety of audiences Uses multiple sources to prepare speeches for various audiences Standard 3.2 Use appropriate learning strategies to extend sociolinguistic and sociocultural competence 3.1.1 Observes and models others speech and behavior 3.1.2 Self-monitors and self-evaluates language use / Rephrases an utterance for clarity Uses newly acquired language and gestures appropriately Observes and models others speech in unfamiliar settings Self-corrects speech based on observation of others Demonstrates knowledge of the social context of language Demonstrates knowledge of effectiveness of various types of communication Observes and models others reading and writing behavior in unfamiliar settings
Standard 3.3 Participate in a variety of activities to develop an awareness of the culture of the United States. 3.3.1 Demonstrates knowledge of U.S. cultural heritage 3.3.2 Demonstrates awareness of U.S. holidays, celebrations, and community life / Identifies themes that are familiar to first culture Recites tongue twisters, story excerpts, poems, nursery rhymes, games, and songs Retells cultural stories Plans and participates in multi-heritage celebrations Discusses military and Describes differences between military and civilian community civilian community life lives Reads and writes stories, poems, plays, music, skits, etc., of U.S. cultural heritage, holidays, celebrations, and community life Prepares a presentation that demonstrates knowledge of similarities and differences between cultures